Caveat filed in SC in matter pertaining to Rahul Gandhi's conviction in defamation case by Gujarat Court

economictimes.indiatimes.com:

Modi, the complainant who filed a defamation case against Congress leader Rahul Gandhi in Gujarat, has filed a caveat in the Supreme Court in the matter pertaining to the Gujarat High Court decision denying to stay Rahul Gandhi's conviction in the defamation case against 'Modi surname' remark. Purnesh Ishwerbhai Modi also wants to be heard in the case when the apex court takes up Gandhi's appeal against the Gujarat High Court's decision declining to stay his conviction in a defamation case.

A Caveat application is filed by a litigant to ensure that no adverse order is passed against them without being heard. Gujarat High Court on Friday upheld the Sessions Court's order and denied a stay on his conviction in the defamation case against the 'Modi surname' remark.

As there is the possibility that Rahul Gandhi will challenge the petition in Supreme Court, Purnesh Ishwerbhai Modi has filed a caveat in the top court so that he must be heard before the top court passed any direction if the matter is heard. The Gujarat HC court had refused to grant any interim relief to Rahul Gandhi.

The Congress leader had moved the Gujarat High Court on April 25 challenging the Surat sessions court order which declined to stay his conviction in the criminal defamation case. The Surat sessions court had on April 20 rejected Rahul Gandhi's plea seeking a stay on his conviction by the lower court in the criminal defamation case.

In his judgement, Additional sessions judge Robin P Mogera had cited Gandhi's stature as an MP and former chief of the country's second-largest political party and said he should have been more careful. He cited prima facie evidence and observations of the trial court and said it transpires that Rahul Gandhi Gandhi made